Match Report: Sports Reserves vs Gresley FC

After the first game was abandoned at half time on the 19th November and a multitude of postponements the semi final of the Derbyshire Divisional Cup South got underway at 3pm at Lees Brook School 3g pitch in Chaddesen.

We were able to put out a strong side with Morgan Williams, cup tied. Jake Smith, injured and Tom Eccleshall all not available.

As usual with the reserves the team from Friday night was juggled a bit as Danny Davidson was available after the first team game was called off and another player was unavailable.

The game got under way just as the rain stopped and Mickleover were soon on the ascendancy with usual high pressing game and playing out form the back. Ty Robinson was in commanding form winning headers that sent Gresley back towards their goal. On the left Daniel Cvik made a couple of penetrating runs that built pressure on Gresley with Will Norcross beating players for fun and Jermaine Palmer dominating the high clearances it seemed only a matter of time before we took a chance.

As it happened the goal came from a cross by Jaro Vvak from the left, across the keeper, to sneak in at the far corner. Some may think it somewhat forteous but if the ball goes between the posts and below the bar you always have a chance of a goal.

Gresley had quite a few good players working hard for their team and we needed to improve in the second half to progress to the final. One disappointing aspect was the number of soft fouls we gave away allowing Gresley a free kick to put us under pressure plus being caught offside makes life far to easy for the opposing defence.
So with the warnings ringing in their ears we went out and lost a goal in under 2 minutes of the restart. The Gresley number 8 was allowed to dribble across the midfield and from 20 yards struck a low shot to equalise. Good goal but one we should have stopped.

The players have to be congratulated to their reaction as it was us that picked up the pace and took the game to Gresley. It wasn’t until we were 3 -1 up that they had a couple of good chances to score.
We took the lead after good work down the right with Finley Davies and Dean Wilkinson before the ball got put across to find Jermaine Palmer at the far post about 15 yards out. He went past a defender and finished with aplomb with a fine left foot strike.

Mickleover continued to press and after coming on minutes earlier Jakub Ondersco finished a great move with his right foot at the back post. After that we had a couple of 3 on 2 situations but unfortunately didn’t take advantage with players going narrow instead of stretching the defenders and then Gresley had the opportunities to get back in the match.

Everyone played well with notable performance from Jack Walsh with tough tackling and no little skill, Fin Davies was always involved, TY Robinson only put a foot wrong once and then recovered brilliantly, Max Bennett was safe as houses dealing well with the crosses that came in and finally Will Norcoss who looked like he was the only one allowed the ball in the first half.